Rotary disconnect switch



oct. 17, 1944. l P, B HOYE 2,360,774

ROTARY DIscoNNEcT SWITCH Filed Aug. 1 0, 1942 v 5 sheets-sheet 1 Oct-17, 1944. P. B. HOYE 2,360,774

ROTARY DISCONNECT SWITCH Filed Aug. l0 1942 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 fdef [70 e,Uy

Oct. 17, 1944.

P. B. HOYE ROTARY DISCONNECT SWITCH Filed Aug. 10 1942 5 Sheets-Sheet 3llnigigggggmmmm Oct. 17, 1944. P. B. HOYE ROTARY DISCONECT SWITCH FiledAug. 10, 1942 5 Sheets-Sheet 4 @ma rma/:fill: f

OCI. 17, 1944. R B' HOYE ROTARY DISCONNECT SWITCH Filed Aug. lO 1942 5Sheets-Sheet 5 Patented Oct. 17, 19,44

ROTARY DISCONNECT SWITCH Poder B. Hoye, Maywood, Ill., assignor ltoElectrical Engineers Equipment Co., Melrose Park, Ill., a corporation ofIllinois Application August 10, 1942, Serial No. 454,235

' 5 claims. rc1. 20o- 6) The present invention relates generally to highvoltage electric disconnect switches of the enclosed type, and moreparticularly to such enclosed disconnect switches wherein the circuit isopened or closed by rotary motion of the contacts. According to thepreferred form of my invention the switch contacts, both stationary andmovable, are housed in a vitreous housing which is preferably made ofglass or wet process porcelain.

One of the principal objects of my present invention is to provide acompact, eicient switch for either indoor or out-of-doors use which iseasy to construct and economical to manufacture. Compactness is obtainedby having rotat- 'mg contacts for opening or closing the circuit whichcontacts do not require the space necessarily used by contacts having arectilinear motion. Fewer parts add to the compactness of the switchrandcontribute to lower costs of construction and operation.

Another object of my invention is to provide switch units that arereadily mounted on the sides, top or ends of cross arms of power-linecarriers, whichever is more desirable or convenient. Such mounting isnot readily or practically attainable by switches which require mountingon a vertical panel and which have rectilinear motion.

A further object is to provide novel rotary contacts of the prestressedspring type. I'he bearing of these prestressed contacts may be eitherradial or axial and the type of engagement may be either of the surfacetype or of the point or high pressure type.

It is understood that any number of these units may be mounted side byside and operated by a common crank arm, or other control. In fact, thisis one ofthe advantages of my invention.

A still further object of the present invention is the provision 'ofsubstantially completely weatherproof units whose interiors optionallyare visible without opening of the housing and are readily accessiblefor any repair work. These units have readily detachable cover plates ofglass, transparent plastic or other transparent material. If preferred,however, covers of opaque materials may be used instead. An insulatingliquid such as oil may cover the engaging contacts to assist ininterruption of current flow.

A further advantage of these switches is their adaptability to use withhigh voltages with a high factor of safety:

These and other features and advantages will be more fully understoodand appreciated upon l reference to the following detailed descriptiontaken in connection with the accompanying drawings wherein specificembodiments of my invention are disclosed.

In the drawings: Figure 1 shows a set of three rotary disconnectswitches with vertical axes on a. cross arm of a pole which switches areall linked together and are gang operated by one bell crank;

Figure 2 shows another set of three rotary disconnect switches withhorizontal axes on the cross arm of a pole, which switches are gangoperated;

Figure 3 is a vertical longitudinal section taken along the line 3-3 ofFigure 4 of a rotary disconnect switch with a vertical axis adapted, forexample, to be mounted on the side (as in Figure 1) or end of a crossarm; y l' Figure 4 is a bottom View of the rotary switch of Figure 3with a portion of the screen broken away to show the interior; l y

Figure 5 is a front elevation, withportions broken away, of a rotarydisconnect switch with a horizontal axis adapted, for example, to be'placed on the side (as in Figure 2) or top of va necting the switchestogether on a single operat-Y ing axle;

Figure 9 is a vertical cross sectional view `of the form of rotaryswitches shown in Figure 8 (the section being taken substantially on theline 9-9 of Figure 8);

Figure 10 is a front elevation, partially in sec-v tion and with thecover plate removed, of a fourth style of rotary disconnect switch;

Figure 11 is a cross sectional view of the rotary switch of Figure 10along the lines II-ll of Figure 10;

Figure 12 shows a detail view of the front of shown in the side thecover locking engagement; view in Figure 11; and

Figure 13 is a fragmentary sectional view of a modied form of contactsuch as may be employed in the device of Figures 8 to 12.

Referring first to Figures 3 and 4 showing the rotary disconnect switch8, there is provided a two part housing of vitreous insulationpreferably of glass or wet-process porcelain surrounding and coveringthe live portions of the switch.

The upper of the two parts of the housing is in holes in the support I9and holes in the shoulders` I1 of the barrel I2. These bolts I4 arethreaded, into pre-threaded metal inserts 2| which are cemented insidehollow bosses 23 which are integral parts of the cap I0. In this way thecap I0 is joined to the barrel I2 and the two parts of the housing arermly secured to the metal bracket 20.

The bracket comprises two legs 24, 24 formed integrally withthe annularsupport member I9 for bearing the housing 8, which support member I9 hasfour cross arms 25 which brace the support I9. and at their junctioncarry an integral barrel 21 which contains a bronze or otherantifriction metal bearing sleeve 28. This sleeve 28 bears an axle 38which has an'enlarged end 3| which is cemented into a cavity within theinsulator33 and which bears and turns on the collar 32 of the barrel 21.cemented within a second (and upper) cavity in the insulator 33 is acylindrical metal stub 34 to which is secured by screws 35, 35 thelaminated switch blade 31. On the lower end of the axle 39 is securedcrank arm 38 for turning the axle and consequentlyv shifting theposition'of the switch blade 31.

The switch blade 31 of the illustrated deviceis formed of four Ametalstrips which are clamped together by cap screws 35, 35. The upper twostrips are copper and thelower two are of phosphorus bronze which act asleaf springs and thus produce rm electrical contact between the copperof the switch blade 31 and the two stationary contacts 39, 39. "Thecontact may be flat sur'- face contact or it may be high pressure pointcontact. It will kbe noted that the stationary contacts'have bevelededges as at 36 so that the switch blade is directed downwardly as itcomes into engagement with the contacts 39. This downward thrust deformsthe blade 31 and permits the phosphorus-bronze leaf-springs to steadsits on an annular cup 41 of more or less yielding insulating materialsuch as cork or compressible fiber. Between the support I9 and theinsulating cup 41 is positioned a bronze screen 48 which ts snugly aboutthe collar 32 of the barrel 21 andt which separates the interior of thehousing from the open air. 'I'his screen 48 is primarily used to keepout dirt and insects which otherwise might get in and foul the surfacesof the stationary contacts 39 and the revolvable switch blade 31.

`As shown in Figures 3 and 4, the switch blade 31 is in engagement withthe stationary contacts 39 so that there is a current ow through therotary disconnect switch from one wire to another.

-But now if the han'dle 38 is rotated 90 the switch blade will berotated become disengaged from the stationary contacts and lie in adirection parallel to the length of these contacts. In the constructionof the switch, the size of the instrument is such that there will be a,certain minimum distance between the stationary contacts 39. Thisminimum distance will depend upon voltage requirements. The screen 48 orbolts I5 may be connected to ground as an additionl precaution againstarcing due to severe over-voltages.

The bracket 20 has holes 22, 22 in each leg 24 through which screws maybe inserted for mounting the rotary switch. With the construction shownthe switch could be mounted on the side or end of a cross bar or on theside of a post with'equal ease. Mounted on the side of a cross arm, forexample, several of these units may be linked together by rods joiningthe handles 38 together. A hole 46 in the end of the arm 38 permits suchlinking so that a set of several switches may be activated by one crank.See crank v49, for example, in Figure 1. The operating cranks and thebrackets 20 are preferably grounded. An advantage of the construction ofFigures 3 and 4 is that a lineman may safely stand upon the cover III.

Figures 5. 6 and 1 are the several views of another style of rotarydisconnect switch.

' Though the form is diierent the principle is the same, namely, anenclosed disconnecting switch with a double ended rotatable blade. It isnecessary to have the contact elements Separated a' mon to all thedevices illustrated in Figures 1 strongly force the upper surface of theblade ing post blocks 4I and a nut 44 is threaded on to y the end of theshank 40 of each stationary contact 39 so that the split binding postblocks will be squeezed and will tightly engage the ends of the wires.The shanks 40 of contacts 39 may beA cemented in permanent position.

The porcelain or glass housing does not rest directly on the annularmetal support I9 but ina through 13. v

In Figure 5 the housing 5I) is also preferably of wet process porcelainor glass and has a glass or moulded insulating cover 5I bolted on thefront side by bolts 53, 53 which permits a `view of the interior withoutthe necessity of opening the housing. In the prior device of Figures 3and 4 a View of the interior is possible through the bronze screen 48 inthe bottom of the unit or to some degree through the housing if made ofglass.

The binding posts or terminals 54, 54 which may be bonded in place haveat their inner ends the stationary contacts 55, 55. Flanges 56, 56 bearagainst washers 51, 51 which rest against the inside of kthe walls ofthe housing 50. The

Shanks 58, 58 of the terminals pass through holes,-

in the walls of the housing and are fastened vfirmly in place by nuts59, 59 threaded onthe tiallfy' the fll lehgth of the blade. But the iholritl portions have a U-shaped notch cut out ifi the ceite so thateach blade 6I may be llied around the waist of the insulator 62, G iblade `(see Figures 6 and'l) is slipped around 'waist of the insulatorl62 from the left side Bhd che froi the right side. Tifie'se' blades 6|are connected in parallelspaced relation .by the bolts 53,53 andspacers' B5, 65. The heads and of these bolts rest on coiled springs 64of the bed sil'ng type so that the blades may be resiliently forcedapart against the prest'ress ci the snnnss u, 64 when they swing intoengagewith the fixed contacts 55. 'I'lie spacing cylinder Il around theshank orA each of the bolts salles between the blades el and has alength slightly' less than the thickness of the contacts 55, 55 whichthe blades sl engage. Each 'at each of its ends has a lateral convextact A'rlger 66 stax'iiped out to form a high pressure line contact inengaging the stationary contacts 55. l

it can be noted from Figures and s that the insulator 62 has a notchedcentral circular harige "portion el which nts between the blades el and'the hotches of whichvpai'tial-ly surround the cyllndrlcal spacers 65Also, there are flanged ends lo on the insulators! and a cylindricalhole 69 through the center of the insulator thi'oilgh which runs thehexagonal bar 1U. This .bis has, within the housing, a metal sleeveor'shell 1l covering it. The shell 1l is cementedfli-'inly as at 12within the hole 69 with its longitudinal axis coinciding with that oflthe hole. The bar has bearing collars which are truni'lioiid irl metalbearings cemented in the 'side walls of 'the housing 5u as at 1a. whenthe bar n is inserted through the bearing collars l'and the, shell 1I,then rtationof the bal n will result ifi rotation of the insulator alsoofthe blades 6| since the expanded central portion 61 of the insulator62 will exert leverage ahst the cylindrical spacers 65 which are aui'ldthe `bolts 53. otatirl'g the bar 1U through ah angle of 90"willdisengage the blades 6I from the statio'lary contacts 55 andposition these blades 6l in the dotted line position of Figure 6.

The housing 50 (see Figures 6 `and 7)v has threaded inserts 1l cementedin its back wall for screwing the unit on tovthe side or top o f, foreiarple, a. cross arm. This prevents the housix'lg from rotating aboutthe bar 'I0 as an axle and permits the b ar to rotate the switch blades6| `its above described.`

A gang of three switch units 58 for three phase circuits may be mountednext to each other. Figure 2 shows such circuits and style of mount*-ing with switch units of a different design. A single rod, such as rod1l in Figures 5; 6 and 7 (or rod 9i in Figure 2) then passes through thewhole group of rotary vswitches which are then operated o by a singlecrank 89. The rod is mounted at "each outer 'end in its own bearii'igbrackets, such as brackets 9E of Figure 2. which are fastened to thecross ann and which :hay be grounded. y v n opposed lateral fingers t6on the ends of the blades 6lA are separated by a distance slight-i lyless than the thickss of the stationary cofre tacts 55 which they are toengage. Ti'lerefo'-e porl rotation of` the blades into hgagenht with thecltacts 55, the blades are spread slight` 1y against the opposing actionof the prestressed sprn'gsilllz This results in positive pres'trssedhigh pressure Contact between the blades 6| ai'l'd contacts 55. When theblades 6I are in dische gaged position they are, by design, separatedfrom the contacts by a distance Which yiS b than the striking distace tometallic sleeve TI or shaft 10 which are grounded.

Figures 2,- 8 and 9 illustrate another forth of rotary disconnect switchbut one having the same' general characteristics as the prior two. Thereis a wet process porcelain or glass Iii'iilsin'ii,r 80 having aremovable 'glass or other i'rloulded ine sulation cover 8| attachedthereto as by' a "Baken lite lrirn 83 and screws 82. Extending throughthe walls of opposite sides of the housing are bolts 84, 84 which haveat their inner ends the stationary contacts 85, 85. The nuts 86, 86 oare threaded on to the threaded ends of the bolts stand nx thestationary contacts a5, firmly in place against Washers 81, 81 whichseparate the contacts 85, 85 fror'n th'e inside of the walls of thehousing 80. A second hut 88 on each bolt 84 binds the current-carrying'wire (not shown) against the n'ut 86.- 'Ihe bolts Il, 84 may becemented in place. There is provided, as in the case of the otherswitches, 'a

ground connection which is' closer to the `contacts 85, 85 of the switchof Figures 2i, 8 and 9 than the contacts are to each other.

The movable contact points 90, 90 are indirectly carried on thecylindrical rod 9i as will be described. Bearings indicated at!! arecemented as at 93 into the side walls of the .housing 80 to support theround rod 9 l. Each of these bearings 92 has a strap 92a (see Figure 9)extending along the outside flat wall 'of the housing of the unit. Thestrap 92a has an rlturned lug 92o lying' in a notch in the edge of theside wall. The lug 92o is threaded to receive the s'cle'w 82 at eachside'for holding the cover over the open side of the housing.' The shaft9! with its key 98 can be inserted from the side through the opening inbearing sleeve 92. The lkey then is brought into register with thekeyway in hub member |00, as shown in Figures 8 land 9. Thin metalsleeves '92e of a thickness suitable for taking up the dilerence indiameters between the bearings 92 and the shaft 9| are then slipped overthe adjacent ends ofthe shaft. Collars 92d 'are fastened as by setscrews upon the shaft 9| at each side of the single unit or upon theshaft when'the ends project 'from a gang 'of units. The sleeves 92'cabut against said collars 92d at the outside and when 'a gang of unitsis placed side by side as in Figure 8, the sleeves 92o of adjacent units'abut 'eri'd'wise against each other. Thus the movable switch 'rnernbersare held in register with the stationary contacts and the shalft is madeto lill the stationary bear'- ingr sleeves. Separate from the housingrand at either side of the rotary ydisconnect switch, vor 'a group ofthem, are bearings 94 which are carried by brackets 9s. The brackets 96.one for each end of the rod, are fastened by screws 'or bolts to a crossarmo (for exan'iple see Figure 2), "and may be 'grounded if desired. Asshown in Figure l2, a

single crank l'89 can their operate on the one cylindrical rod 9| andoperate as many rotary switches as there are mounted in the group.Through a hole 91 in the back Wall of each housing 80 (see Figure 9)extends a bolt or screw 90 which is fastened to a cross bar 96 runningbetween and fastened to the brackets 96. This prevents ,the housingsfrom revolving on the rod 9| as an axle. Bolt 99 is preferably grounded.

Keyed to the rod by Woodruff key 38 is the close-fitting sleeve or hub|00 with four longitudinal ridges or keys |0| which run parallel to eachother.` This rod and sleeve are cemented as at |02 toY the inside of thewaist |03 of the insulator |05. The waist |03 has a cylindrical bore buta hexagonal exterior; the insulator |05 has a generally cylindricalexterior except for the waist |03. It will now-be apparent that rotationof the rod 9| will cause the insulator |05 and anything fixed to it torotate also.

Clamped to the waist |03 of the insulator |05 is a copper braid |00.This serves both as a current conductor and as a cushion. The clamps |01and |08 conform to the hexagonal exterior of the waist |03 but do notcompletely encircle it as may be seen from Figure 9. These clamps |01and |08, clamp the copper braid |06 to the waist |03 of the insulator|05 by means of bolts |09 and ||0 which run through their parallel ends.(See Figure 9.) These bolts also pass through holes in the copper braid|00 as may be seen at of Figure 8.

Clamp |01 (left hand clamp of Figure 9) at each of its ends has upperand lower parallel arms ||3 and ||4 at one end and ||5 and H6 at theother end (see Figure 8). These pairs of arms are joined by webs |1 and|8 respectively. Beyond the webs ||1 and ||8 the pairs of arms are stillparallelbut are spaced apart a greater distance and are substantiallygreater in width. Within the lends of these pairs of arms arerectangular slots as at |20. The two clamp and arm members are thusidentical.

The movable contacts 90 are soldered to the copper braid |00 which iscapable of conducting the current from one movable contact to the otheraround the waist |03 of the insulator |05. The braid |05 is in turnsoldered to iiat metal straps |2| and |22 which have turned down ends asat |23 which ends ride within and are guided bythe slots |20.Optionally, pins or rivets may extend through contact 00, braid |06 vandbacking straps i2! and |22. A prestressed spring such as |25 keeps said\straps |2| and |22, braid |00 and movable contacts 90 pressed outwardlyfrom the center or the rotatable assembly under prestressed spring loadas far as the slots |20 or an intervening object (such as the stationarycontacts 85) will permit. When the movable and stationary contacts arebrought into engagement, these springs, such as |24, insure smoothengagement and rm contact due to their being compressed between the webs|1 and I8 and the straps |2| and |22. These springs are held in place byAa protrusion such as |21 at the center of the web |.|1 which ts withinthe coiled spring. The springs |25 are preferably but not necessarily ofthe bed spring type.

Optionally the fixed and movable contacts may be of the spherical highpressure type as illustra'ted in Figure 13. In this construction thestationary Contact 05 is a button head on the bolt 84 i. e., it isspherical. Likewise, the movable contact member 00 is spherical on itsengaging face. The resulting engagement isv limited to a very smallarea, theoretically a point. Various forms of contacts may be madesuchas a flat lsurface on the stationary contact and one ormore roundedprojections on the movable contact or vice versa.

v The rod 9|, when rotated through an angle of carries the movablecontacts 90 through an angle of 90 to a position at right angles to thatshown in Figure 91. This rod 9| may run through the center of a group ofthese rotary disconnect switchesplaced side by side and may be operatedby a single crank as shown in Figure 2. The individual rotary switchesare so constructed that when placed side by side as shown in Figure 8they are still properly spaced laterally so as `to be used withoutdanger. Furthermore, the mov'- able contacts 90 and braidl 06 when inopen position are so spaced from the stationary contacts as to affordcomplete safety.

Figures 10 and 11 illustrate another style of rotary disconnect switch.In design it is more like the switch of Figures 8 and 9 than the otherprior forms. A glass or wet-process .porcelain housing |30, has holesthrough its sides as at |3I. (See Figure 10.) Through the center ofthese holes runs a hollow sha-ft |34 and about the shaft |34 may beplaced sleeves of insulation as shown at |35, |35. If the sleeves |35are omitted, shaft |34 may be made to serve as a connection to ground.Keyed, as at |30, to the hollow shaft |34 is a cylindrical metal hub |31having four longitudinal ridges |33 equally spaced on its periphery andrunning parallel to eachother. The cement |39 binds the insulator |40 tothe hub |31 which is keyed to the hollow shaft |34. Consequently, if theshaft |34 is rotated in its bearings as at |33 in side plate hubs |88then the insulator |40 and anything atached to it will rotate also.

Around the waist |42 of the insulator |40 is cemented, as at |43; anannular ring |44 which has arms |45 and |40 extending outwardly onopposite sides. At their outer ends each of these arms |45 and |40, isforked, providing iingers |41 and |48, the .outer ends oi which extendparallel to each other. These parallel extensions of |41 and |48 haverectangular slots |50.

Copper braid |5| for conducting the current from one movable contact |52to the other mov-1. able contact |53 is pinned or otherwise fastened, asat |54, |54 to the annular ring |44. This conducting braid is solderedon one side to the inside surface of the movable contacts |52 and |53and on the other side to flat metal mounting straps |55 and |50. Theseparts |52, |5|, and |56 may optionally be fastened together by throughrivets;y

as well as by solder. These mounting straps |55, |56 have their endsturned back to partially en, compass coiled springs, such as |51, andalso to provide offset extensions which fit into the slots |50 of theextension arms |41 and |48 where they are guided during their movementand serve to restrain the radial travel of the movable contacts.

The prestressed spring |51 tends to push the strap |56 and consequentlythe braid |5| and further compressed. This assures rm contact.

The form of the contacts |52 and |59 may optionally be as describedabove in connection with Fig-l ure 13.

The stationary contacts |59 and |60 eachhavef threaded shanks ISI, ||i|which pass throught holes ln the walls of the housing |30 and permitthese contacts to-be bolted firmly in place. These Shanks also serve, incooperation with appropriate nuts, as binding posts or terminals for thewires carrying the current (wires not shown). i

' The rotary disconnect switches of my invention are preferably gangoperated but obviously' may be segregated and individually operated. InFige ure left side there is indicated the edge of an adjacent rotaryswitch unit |65. A ring of insulation or packing |66 separates theporcelain or glass housings. At each end of the single unit or groupv ofunits the holes |3| are closed off by plates |61 (see Figure 10 and alsodotted outline on Figure 11).1 Plate |61 has a hub |68 which lits withinthe eye |69 of the supporting bracket |10. The hub |68 is divided by awall |12 into two chambers. The right hand chamberA |13 of Figure 10contains one extremity of the shaft |34. This chamber |13 is open on theside toward the observer so that a crank arm (not shown) integrallyformed on the collar |14 may protrude therefrom. The collar |14 is keyedto the shaft |34. 'I'he aforementioned crank arm is fastened to usualcranking means which thereby opens orv closes the switch. l Y

A closure plate' |15 closes the end of the chamber |13 and it is held inposition by the tie rod |32 which extends the full length of the hollowshaft |34. This rod |32 which is anchored at the right in the anged nut|15 extends through a similar closure plate at the, other end andthrough a washer or flanged nut like nut |15 which is threaded or boltedon to the rod |32 at its other end. When the clamping plates '|15 aredrawn up tight on the threaded ends of the rod |32, all the housings ofthe gang switch and the side plates |61 are pressed tight against eachother and are thus clamped together as a single unit. i

As indicated before, the shaft |34 is carried at each end in bearings|33 in the walls |12 of plates f Each switch unit has its own cover suchas |11 which is preferably made of glass, transparent' plastic or anopaque insulating substance such as "Bakelite. A transparent coverpermits the op` erator to see whether the switch unit is in open or shutposition. To make repair of these switches easier, each cover isfastened on to one long metal bar |18 as by screws |19, |19 (seeV Figure11). -The bar runs parallel tothe shaft |34v and rod |32 but on theoutside of the housing |30. Then when the .bar |18 is swung down intoproper position all the covers are simultaneously swimg into closedposition. y

To hold the bar in place so that all the housings will be held in closedposition there is placed at each end of the gang of housings a lockingmeans. This locking means consists of an arm |80, (Figures 11 and 12)pivotally mounted on a bolt extending through an ear |19 formed on eachclosure plate |61. bears against the flat side of the end of the bar|18. Arm |80 is held tight against this strap |18 by a swingably mounteddraw bolt |8| which is swung into a slot |82 (see Figure 12) and clampedtherein by wing nut |84 and which is grounded.

The ldraw bolt |8| is itself pivoted so that it may be swung to theright (Figure 12) when the nut |84 is loosened so that the pivoted arm|80 may then be swung away from the strap |18. The draw bolt |8| at itsleft end (Figure 11), encircles a bolt |85 carried in iianges |86, |86.These anges are formed integrally with the eye |69 of bracket |10.'I'hls construction permits the The outer end of the arm 80 ff movementof draw bolt |8| into and out of locking engagement. i

The switch housing unit `does not pivot within the-eye |69 of thebracket |18 since thefollowing rigid elements hold it in uprightposition: Each bracket '|10 is iixed e'. g., toa crossarm or upon acommon base such asa piece of channel bar; its eye |69 being integrallyformed is rigid; the flanges |86, |86 formed integrally von the eye |69are rigid and carry the draw bolt |8| which is also rigid when bolted inlocking engagement :with the pivoted arm |80. Draw bolt |8| cannot dropinto the slot |82 of arm |80 unless the arml |80 and the strap |18beneath it are in the same vertical plane as the cross arm or mountingYbase on which the whole gang oi units is mounted. Therefore when thecovers |11 are locked'on by the abovedescribed locking arrangement theunits are lined up perforce vertically, with their'terminals |6|, l6|`invertical position.'

As has'been said of all the prior switches (Figures 3 through 9) theopening and closing of the switch can be accomplished in anV insulatinghousing in the least necessary space by the rotor .1 switch arrangementVof my invention. No spacelling panels are necessary..` Furthermore,lthe stationary and movable contacts are always pressed tightly togetherwhen in engagementwith each other. A still furtherfadvantage is thatthese devices are inexpensive and readily assembled; -their insides areeasily seen and they may be opened for repairs very quickly. y

Though these rotary disconnect switches are adapted to serve nconjunction with circuit breakers and to further isolate and opensections of the circuit interrupted first by the larger and moreexpensive circuit breakers, yet these rotary A switches are adaptableforuse -to interrupt low current values such as normall load. `When thedevices shown in vFigures 5f through 12 are mounted .on the top of acrossarm-for they have been constructed to per-mit this-they may bepartially lledwith oil, in their bottom portions, for the housings aremade of glass or`wet process porcelain and will not leak. Then themaking and breaking ,of the lower contacts `will take place in theoilwith the'movablecontact swinging out ofv and standing above`the'level yoi theoil.

Switches of the present type are particularly i designedfor powercircuits' ofithe orderof 7500 volts or less and .capable oi carrying 200amperes. It will be observed that in each' 'form a double break issecured. This insures speedy interruption of any current flow andprovides ample clearance. An important advantage, particu larly of theforms shown in Figures 5 to 13, is the ability to space the units of agang on the same centers as the run of conductors. So far as I am awarethis is broadly new in rotary enclosed disconnect switches. Thusenclosed disconnect switches of the present rotary type may be insertedinto existing runs of conductors spaced on minimum striking distances.(See. for example, runs of conductors indicated at A, B and C of Figure2.) These switches are adapted for both indoor and for outdoor service.It will be noted that by swinging the blades in the plane of theconductors, see Figure 2, and enclosing the individual switches inhousings of high insulating value, a very compact and Widely usefulstructure is provided.

Where the spacing of the phase conductors permits or where room on thecross arm or other mounting is available, the form shown in Figures 13and 4 is highly advantageous particularly for out door service. It mayhere be noted too that the vertically rotatable switch elements andthestationary contacts of the devices illustrated in Figures 5 through 12are readily adaptable for operation in a horizonal plane of rotation asused in the device of Figures 1, 3 and 4.

While I have described in detail the construction of various specificforms of my invention, it is to be understood that numerous equivalentsand modifications may be employed without departing from the spirit andscope of my invention. Furthermore, Ido not intend to be limited by suchdetails ofgthe embodiments illustrated and described above except asthey are set forth and made a part of the appended claims.

I claim: x

1. In a high tension disconnect switch the combination of an outersubstantially enclosed housing of insulation having a circumferentialwall, stationary switch contacts mounted in said housing forV directconnection to line wires, a shaft disposed substantially axially of thesaid circumferential wall, a double ended blade lying in the plane ofthe contacts, an insulator mounted on said shaft and supporting saidblade, a grounded element within said housing closer to one of saidstationary switch contacts than the distance between said stationaryswitch contacts, and operating means for rocking said shaft back andforth through substantially 90 to cause the blade to engage anddisengage ,said

contacts,

2. In an electrical high tension switch, in combination, an outersubstantially enclosed housing of vitreous insulation, a. pair ofstationary electrical terminals disposed on the inner surface of saidhousing, a rotatableswitch member disposed within said housing formaking and breaking contact at both ends thereof with said stationarycontacts, a metal shaft rotatably mounted in said housing, a porcelaininsulator fixed to said shaft and carrying said rotatable switch member,and a grounded element within said housing closer to one of saidstationary electrical terminals than the distance between saidstationary electrical terminals.

3. In combination, a gang of high tension disconnect switches eachswitch having an outer substantially enclosed housing of electricalinsulating material and individual rotatable switch arms, the housingsbeing arranged to provide an electrical insulating, barrier betweenadjacent switches, stationary electrical contacts mounted in eachhousing for direct connection to line wires and a common axle extendingthrough said housings for operating the rotatable switch arms. of eachof said disconnect switches simultaneously, said axle being individuallyinsulated from said switch arms inside the housings, Aand a groundedelement in each housing closer to onel of the stationary electricalcontacts therein than the distance between the stationary contactslwithin each of the housings.

4. In combination, a plurality of high tension disconnect switches eachcomprising a -substantially enclosed outer housing of electricalinsulating material and substantially oppositely ,y

electrical terminals of each housing, a rotatable switch arm within eachhousing, a lporcelain insulator for and carrying each switch arm, saidinsulators being individually keyed to said shaft for rotationtherewith,4 and a ground closer to one of the stationary electricalterminals ofv each housing than the distance between the opposedstationary electrical terminals therein, said housings having wallportions formingan insulating barrier between adjacent disconnectswitches. l f

5. In combination, a`plurality of high ,tension disconnect switches eachcomprising a housing of electrical insulating material and substantiallyoppositely disposed electrical terminals mounted in said housing andextending thereinto, said housings each being provided with a doorofinsulating material providing access thereinto and'` forming asubstantially enclosed chamber, a,

common metal shaft extending through said housings on an axisintermediate the oppositely disposed electrical terminals of eachhousing, a rotatable switch arm in each housing, a porcelain insulatorfor and carrying eachA switch arm, said insulators being individuallykeyed to said shaft for rotation therewith, and a grounded element foreach switch carried by the door ofeach.

housing, said grounded element being closer to one of the electricalterminals of each switch terminals thereof.

FEDER B. HOYE.

